Critical factors influencing the internet of things technology adoption behavior of construction companies: evidence from China
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 25 August 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Limited use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology on construction sites has restricted its value in the construction industry. To propel its widespread application, this paper explores the influencing factors and action paths of construction companies' IoT technology adoption behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
First, literature research, technology adoption theories, and semi-structured expert interviews were employed to build the adoption model. Second, a questionnaire survey was conducted among Chinese construction contractors to collect empirical data. Third, the structural equation model method and regression analysis were used to test the adoption model. Finally, the findings were further validated with interviews, case studies, and field observations.
Findings
External environmental pressure (EEP), perceived benefit (PB), top management support (TMS), company resource readiness (CRR), adoption intention (AI), and perceived compatibility (PCA) have a direct positive impact on adoption behavior (AB). In contrast, perceived cost (PC) and perceived complexity (PCL) exert a direct negative impact on AB. The EEP, PB, and PC are critical factors affecting AB, whereas AI is strongly affected by CRR and TMS. Besides, AI plays a part mediating role in the relationship between seven factors and AB. Company size and nature positively moderate AI's positive effect on AB.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the knowledge of IoT technology adoption behavior in the construction sector by applying the technology adoption theories. Exploring the implementation barriers and drivers of IoT technology in construction sites from the perspective of organizational technology adoption behavior and introducing moderating variables to explain adoption behavior are innovations of this paper. The findings can help professionals better understand the IoT technology adoption barriers and enhance construction companies' adoption awareness, demand, and ability. This work also provides a reference for understanding the impact mechanism of the adoption behavior of other innovative technologies in construction.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank all the experts and respondents for their excellent advice. The authors also acknowledge, with gratitude, all the reviewers. This paper is supported by Research Center for Central and Eastern Europe from Beijing Jiaotong University. The authors acknowledge financial support from the Pyramid Talent Training Project of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture (Grant no. JDYC20200320, No. JDJQ20200305) and Shandong Province Social Science Foundation of China (Grant no. 21CGLJ26).
Citation
Zhao, Y., Hao, S., Chen, Z., Zhou, X., Zhang, L. and Guo, Z. (2023), "Critical factors influencing the internet of things technology adoption behavior of construction companies: evidence from China", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-01-2023-0045
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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